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Posted on Sun, Dec 4, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.

How sweet it is: Michigan football team will play Virginia Tech in Sugar Bowl

By Kyle Meinke

The return to national relevance is complete.

The Michigan football team will culminate its comeback season with a game against Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 3 in New Orleans.

The Wolverines may not have won a Big Ten championship, but that's not a bad consolation.

"It kind of establishes national relevance for Michigan as a program — puts us back on the map, so to speak, as a national powerhouse," senior defensive lineman Ryan Van Bergen said just minutes after learning of his postseason fate. "It’ll be great for recruiting, it’ll be great for alumni, for fans.

"But the biggest thing is Team 132 wants to play again. We’ve really grown close, we have great team chemistry, and the opporutnity to play one more game, on a stage as big as the Sugar Bowl, is huge."

The Sugar Bowl trophy, on display at a press conference before the 2011 game.

New Orleans Times-Picayune

Michigan was just 15-22 during a rocky three-year tenure by embattled former coach Rich Rodriguez, but rebounded admirably this year, finishing 10-2 under first-year coach Brady Hoke and becoming a favorite to be selected for a BCS bowl.

Its prospects became more tenuous, though, when it dropped from 15th to 16th in last week's BCS standings after a win in its season finale against Ohio State. It caused senior tight end Kevin Koger to stay glued to the TV during Saturday's games, rooting for teams such as Georgia and Oklahoma to lose.

"We watched probably every game we could possibly watch throughout the day," said Koger, who watched the games at linebacker Kenny Demens' house. "J.B. Fitzgerald was just so negative throughout the day.

"He said, ‘Oh, we’re going to the Little Caesar's Bowl in Detroit.’ He was just being really sarcastic."

A series of favorable outcomes ensured that wouldn't happen. The Wolverines rose three spots in the final standings, finishing at 13th and punching their ticket to New Orleans.

"It just kind of re-establishes what this team has been able to do and how far we’ve come, especially with the expectations we had coming into the season," Van Bergen said.

Added Koger: "It’ll just show everybody that Michigan is back and we’re serious."

Michigan is the lowest-ranked team to receive an at-large bid, but its program is on the upswing after Rodriguez's bumpy tenure.

"Obviously, it was a difficult decision," Sugar Bowl chief executive officer Paul Hoolahan said. "We thought every team we had an opportunity to select presented us with certain unique credentials. In the final analysis, we just felt the two teams we have chosen really give us in the long run the best opportunity to put together a matchup that will provide a very exciting football game."

The Wolverines' Sugar Bowl bid snaps a five-year BCS drought. Their last appearance came at the end of the 2006 season, when they lost 32-18 to USC in the Rose Bowl.

They have lost their last three BCS games, each in the Rose Bowl, after beating Alabama, 35-34, their first BCS game in the 2000 Orange Bowl.

"It provides an opportunity for the guys who played last year, and fell so short in that bowl game," Van Bergen said. "It provides us a chance to redeem ourselves and to show we can put forward a championship effort in a championship game. And that’s what this is."

Michigan hasn't won a postseason game of any kind since concluding the 2007 season with a Capital One Bowl victory against Florida and new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.

That also happens to be the final game for former Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr, who is being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this weekend.

In fact, Hoke could not be with his team for the bowl announcement Sunday because he was in New York City for Carr's honoring.

Hoke won the only bowl he has coached in, leading San Diego State to a 35-14 victory against Navy in last year's Poinsettia Bowl. He also guided Ball State to a bowl in his final season there in 2008, but did not coach in the game because he accepted the Aztecs job before it was played.

Hoke said this game will be about his seniors, who have played for two coaches — and the fifth-years, three coaches — and gone through some of the darkest days this program has known in its modern era.

Now, they'll play on the biggest postseason stage this sport offers.

"It’s so rewarding for our seniors," Hoke said by phone late Sunday. "Our seniors have done everything with our program and our leadership.

"It’s going to be fun, but like everything else, you don’t want to lose that last football game that you play."

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

Comments

Joe

Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.

I am going to the Sugar Bowl. Does anyone know anything about the hotels in NO, or where I can find some info on the hotels the UM fans are looking to stay?
TiM
Go Bue!

1st Down

Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 12:14 a.m.

Early Prediction: Michigan 34 VT 17

Tim Zick

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 11:12 p.m.

Sparty fans can complain all they want. Look at the USA Today Coaches ballots and you will see that several coaches accross the country had us ranked ahead of the Sparties. Some had us in the top 10. Look at the combined records of the teams we played (82-63) look at the combined record of the teams sparty played (70-73). Look at the outcome of the ND and Nebraska games for us then look at the outcomes for Sparty. The only claim you have is that you beat us in EL in October. The game was a terrible display of a team playing outside the rules which helped lead to your win. Did any of the coaches or players from UM use that as an excuse? The answer is &quot;no&quot;. However, when Dantonio makes a bone headed coaching decision to call a punt block instead of simply setting up a return and taking the ball with almost 2 min left, and one of his bone headed players runs into the punter, all of a sudden, it's not fair, he was blocked into him, etc, etc. Dantonio should have had at least 2 players suspended for multiple games for their actions in the MSU/UM game, so I guess it was poetic justice. By the way prior to our 4 game losing streak to MSU, we won 6 in a row and the overall series is still not even close.
Dantonio has a huge problem in the future with Hoke and Urban when it comes to recruiting wars. This is going to get ugly for the Sparties going forward.
We played hard and clean all season and we were rewarded for our efforts. The &quot;60 minutes&quot; on unnecessary roughness gang got what they deserved in the end - a penalty that cost them the B10 title and a Rose Bowl birth. Nice job - keep up the great work.

Tim Zick

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.

Stunhsif
The last time we went to the rose bowl was after the 2006 season, when we should have had a rematch with OSU. By the way when is the last time MSU played in the rose bowl?? Better yet, when is the last time MSU even won a bowl game?

Blu n Tpa

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.

For Rent lovely pool home on island in Tampa available around Jan 1st to MSU fans. We will be in French Quarter drinking Hurricanes and eating Bananas Foster. Security deposit required. We have a new sofa.
Go Blue!

Frank Brandon

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:48 p.m.

&quot;Return to national relevance&quot;
Not so fast skippy.
Let's see how you do in the Sugar and then when you face Bama in game 1 next year.
Anybody can win some games with a favorable schedule, 8 homes games, 4 road games(2 of which you lost). Didn't face the top two teams in the other division. Lost to the top team in your division. Played eastern, western(13-11 combined). Ask Ty Willingham and Charlie Weiss if getting to a bcs bowl your first year is a return to national relevance.
nice season, be happy. But easy on the koolaid.

mookienation

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 6:31 p.m.

It depends what you mean by &quot;national relevance&quot;. I think everyone playing in a BCS bowl is nationally relevant. I think you're misinterpreting just a bit.

jcj

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.

&quot;Anybody can win some games with a favorable schedule&quot; Anybody but State!

macjont

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:14 p.m.

If there is any reason to complain, it does not belong to MSU. Kansas State perhaps. Boise State perhaps. But not MSU. Other than automatic qualifiers, there are no teams with 3 losses in a BCS bowl. And while MSU played Wisconsin to a near standoff, they not only lost to Notre Dame and Nebraska, but got the back sides of their anatomy handed to them. And these are two teams Michigan beat, by the way. And if you believe that conference &quot;runnersup&quot; should get the nod, do you really think UCLA is more deserving than Stanford, a team that &quot;sat on the couch&quot; on Championship Saturday.

Justin

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:11 p.m.

All you michigan fans are stupid. Michigan beat Nebraska congratulations they beat one good team who else did they beat? They got manhandled by state and beat by IOWA (who state killed by the way). The BCS is a joke! i am not saying its not states fault they didn't get in the rose bowl but they deserve a much better bowl than michigan got. Michigan is clearly not the 2nd best team in the big ten when they aren't playing the big ten championship.

Justin

Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.

Ok I am trying to point out the fact that MSU deserves a better bowl because they DID deserve it more than Michigan. I am not saying nor did i ever say that the loser of the conference championship deserves a better bowl. I have no idea why you are even putting that into this argument. Like i said, UCLA made the conference championship simply because USC couldn't compete in it because of a punishment they are still serving. I am saying that MSU beat wisconsin once before and lost the game simply because of a penalty. That SHOULD be put into consideration. They should also consider that before the conference championship MSU had the same record as michigan and beat them. THey should go simply off of the regular season, not off of conference championships. The team that plays more games shouldnt be punished for having to play that extra game. if you believe that than i feel sorry for you. I never said any of those things you just mentioned should happen. I am saying between M and MSU, MSU deserved the better bowl period. I know the system isn't good and that is what i am saying. you are being far too literal!

UM757881

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 7:07 p.m.

Justin, I get it - anyone who doesn't agree with you is stupid or dumb.
However put a bit of perspective and consistentcy in your arguments.
It IS simple - the voters, polls and BCS system put M in a spot to be eligible for a BCS bowl (14th or better in the BCS ratings). No one said it is the best system possible, but it is the system that we have to live with for now. Given that, MSU was not in the discussion for an at-large BCS bid because they were not eligible. K-State and Boise were, its a fact like it or not.
Saying that the loser of a conf. championship game is the second best team in the conf. and should also get a BCS bid does not hold water - UCLA (for whatever reason got to their championship game) is 6-7, wasn't the second best team in the Pac and should not be in a BCS bowl (or any bowl for that matter). The BCS process is based on polls - human, computer, whatever - and ALL losses get factored in. MSU didn't make the BCS cut, M did. Maybe the system should be &quot;tweaked&quot; to give more credence to getting to a conf. championship game... but that is not the case now.
Circular reasoning can make one's head spin, however taking only part of the &quot;circle&quot; is disingenuous. You wrote: &quot; Michigan State beat Michigan with ease and deserves a better bowl, plain and simple&quot;. But the &quot;full circle&quot; goes like this: MSU beat M and Iowa: Nebraska &amp; ND both beat MSU with ease; M beat Nebraska with ease and beat ND. So, by your &quot;reasoning&quot; Nebraska and ND deserve to be in better bowl games than MSU; M deserves to be in a better bowl game that Nebraska and/or ND; Iowa deserves to be in a better bowl than M; and MSU deserves to be in a better bowl game than M. And, oh by the way, Neb &amp; ND beat MSU with ease and M beat Neb with ease. So what makes the part of the &quot;circle&quot; you chose so much more compelling?
Your comment saying M only beating one good team, Nebraska, is a joke. Then, by your definition,

macjont

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.

If there is any reason to complain, it does not belong to MSU. Kansas State perhaps. Boise State perhaps. But not MSU. Other than automatic qualifiers, there are no teams with 3 losses in a BCS bowl. And while MSU played Wisconsin to a near standoff, they not only lost to Notre Dame and Nebraska, but got the back sides of their anatomy handed to them. And these are two teams Michigan beat, by the way. And if you believe that conference &quot;runnersup&quot; should get the nod, do you really think UCLA is more deserving than Stanford, a team that &quot;sat on the couch&quot; on Championship Saturday.

Sparty Boomer

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:11 p.m.

It is all good........ The two best B1G teams played for the conference championship to the Badgers. State lost and now are playing in the bowl slated for the #2 B1G Team. They won their division and beat the wolves head to head.......... Due to losing the B1G championship, they are the second best team in B1G.......... it is as simple as that.........

riverraisin

Tue, Dec 6, 2011 : 4:09 a.m.

Once again...The University of Michigan earns the B1G Conference more money than sparty.
You don't hear us whining incessantly about it though, do you?
No!
Whining is a 4 year degree at msu.

Sparty Boomer

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:24 p.m.

and since the B1G shares equally the bowl payout between all the schools.... both teams will come out with the same amount of money.

Matt Patercsak

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.

yep its all good.
we sure will enjoy the 17 million dollar payout. enjoy your 7.
all good.

15crown00

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.

you're joking?return to national relevance?i don't think so.you got to the Sugar Bowl by backing in due to the stupid rules of an equally stupid BCS
Hoke,his team,and especially the arrogant followers fall to the Hoakies.

jcj

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.

At least they will be there to play the game! The Outback is perfect for a team that is outclassed by almost everyone.

Tru2Blu76

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:33 p.m.

And MSU got where it's at by: losing the league championship game. Relevance? Who is any MSU supporter to talk about national relevance? Check the facts: the Michigan Wolverines are the most recognized team in college football. They have the longest streak of bowl games in the country, their games are the most televised in the country. Compare: the MSU team is mostly (and only occasionally) featured on regional tv broadcasts, they've managed to win 7 leagues championships since joining the Big 10 in 1953. Michigan has 42 Big Ten championships. MSU trails Michigan in their rivalry by over 20 games, even counting their 4 consecutive wins. Michigan is returning to national relevancy, Michigan State is ending its temporary blip of relevancy.
The Spartans are almost unique: in 1999, the most powerful coach in college football left East Lansing around midnight in a private jet which took him to LSU: NICK SABAN FIRED THE SPARTANS. When one of the top coaches in the country fires the team he was coaching: THAT'S RELEVANT.

Lorain Steelmen

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.

Dantonio was whinning on WJR this morning. About officials calls and how unjust the BCS is. I didn't see him complain when the officials gave msu a victory at East Lansing. I didn't see him reign in his dirty team after numerous personal fouls all year. And predictably, on saturday night, it was a personal foul that iced the game for Wisconsin. Danonio likes to say he that he beat wisconsin 3 of the last 4 games played, but neglects to mention how many of those games were played in Madison. Say what you will, msu lost at Lincoln, and were only 17th when the smoke cleared in the BCS.
As for UM, the job is NOT done yet. They must FINISH now, and beat a very dangerous VaTech team. Ths one should be a dandy. Unfortunalet I will not be able to ttvel ther ethis year, but will will be cheerignthem on.
I'll definitely root for the Badgers in the Rose Bowl, but I figure they'll probably lose. If that happens, and UM wins out, UM may well finish as the highest ranked team in the league. Because of the dirty, unsportsman-like program that Dantonio runs, I'll be pulling for the Dogs, to beat the Spartans in the Outback....big time. That would leave UM at 11-2, and msu at 10-4.

Blue1st

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.

funny, the type of play dantonio teaches, cost them the game. the bcs give little brother no respect, and deservingly so.
congrats to Hoke, the players, and fans.........
GO BLUE!!

Flex

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.

Don't worry...we will send Little Brother beads from The Big Easy. This will allow time for them to wear them while they are eating Blooming Onions. Then, Sparty will get the opportunity to sit on the couch and watch the $17M BCS Sugar Bowl game.
All Sparty had to do was win against Wisconsin. What did they do? They gave up 42 POINTS and loss! They also received a black eye from Nebraska (24-3) during the regular season.
To make things worst--I'm really not sure if Sparty got in the endzone when &quot;Crying Cousin&quot; threw that hailmary in the first game. Man, that was so questionable.
Don't worry Sparty...on 2 Jan 12, you will be 10-3 and Big Brother will be 11-2. Who will you blame then?
I'm OUT!

Sparty Boomer

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:42 p.m.

OK now the hail score should not have counted according to this genius.......... even though not one other person disputed it.........

RudeJude

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.

Ranked 17th in the BCS, MSU simply didn't qualify for a top-tier bowl game (not good enough).
The free Outback is a worthy consolation though. I recommend the add-on lobster tail to any entree, and don't fill up on bread, Spartans!!!

Thomas Craft

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.

and that's why I hate U of M.

macjont

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:15 p.m.

If there is any reason to complain, it does not belong to MSU. Kansas State perhaps. Boise State perhaps. But not MSU. Other than automatic qualifiers, there are no teams with 3 losses in a BCS bowl. And while MSU played Wisconsin to a near standoff, they not only lost to Notre Dame and Nebraska, but got the back sides of their anatomy handed to them. And these are two teams Michigan beat, by the way. And if you believe that conference &quot;runnersup&quot; should get the nod, do you really think UCLA is more deserving than Stanford, a team that &quot;sat on the couch&quot; on Championship Saturday.

RudeJude

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.

Don't hate the player, hate the game, bro. That hate should be directed at the BCS and Sugar Bowl people. Don't hate us for having a 10-2 season. Better yet, blame your boys in Asaparagus and Off-white. When your team loses the final game before bowl selection, you're trading in BCS glory for Alice Springs Chicken. If they would have done it right, you'd be smelling roses by now! LOL

Edward R Murrow's Ghost

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.

Where has Theo gone?
Good Night and Good Luck

Tru2Blu76

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:41 p.m.

&quot;Where has Theo gone?&quot; - good one!
But you remember the old folk song which included the refrain: &quot;Where have all the Theos gone, long time passing?&quot; The answering stanza could be: They've gone to Arizona, every one. When will they ever learn? When will they evvverrr learn? ;-)

missionbrazil

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.

I would think Arizona, where he'll see plenty of 49-35 games (losses for AZ).

a2roots

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.

I think he is helping RR find a home in the desert.

MRunner73

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 12:51 p.m.

Good news for all M-fans. Va tech is a winnable opponent. I feared Baylor or KS Stae, more if they would have gotten the nod.

5c0++ H4d13y

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.

A real slap in the face of VT to be playing a team that didn't even really qualify for a bowl. VT ... the Dangerfield of college football.

iamcris

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 8:38 a.m.

New Orleans could use a shot in the arm to their economy.
I'm sure the Sugar Bowl has the best interest of the community in mind.
Go Blue!

iamcris

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 8:36 a.m.

Sugar Bowl payout - 17 million $.
Outback Bowl payout- 7 million $.
that right there is perspective.

Sparty Boomer

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.

bowl payouts are split equally among all B1G schools

ocblue

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:30 a.m.

Eat it sparty! Eat that crow and enjoy the &quot; no one cares bowl &quot; GO BLUE!

Stephen Landes

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:23 a.m.

The situation for MSU seems to be about right -- the loser of the SEC championship game vs the loser of the B1G championship game. Isn't that the proper pairing regardless of the venue?

genetracy

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:10 a.m.

So UM's return to relevance is complete. By playing an ACC (former Big East) also-ran (ranked 17 BCS) in a bowl the organizers so much admit it about the fans and not the game? Boise State's final rank in the BCS was 7 and Kansas State's 11 and they were passed over. Go nationwide and read the forums. The only people who think UM should be in tht Suger Bowl are Michigan fans.
As for VT, here are some interesting facts;
1. Ranked 56th in their strength of schedule.
2. Only six opponents had winning records.
3. Lost their conference championship by four TD's.
4. ACC is the sixth ranked conference.
5. ACC is 2-11 in BCS games.
So when UM wins this sham bowl game, feel free to revel in victory. But please don't insist the game proves you should have been in the national tilte game with LSU.

Billy Bob Schwartz

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:47 p.m.

Who claimed that Michigan should be in the title bowl? Michigan should not be in that bowl. (Actually, in my mind, to call it a national championship is absurd. Where was the playoff that proved it?) Any sane Michigan fan knows we shouldn't be in that bowl. The good news is that WE ARE BACK! That means that we look forward to playing in top bowl games far into the future, and we will play in the championship game in coming years. We look to the future. State looks at, well the past two years.
And if many people in American are joining the staters in a group whine, well, tears are good for the soul, and fingerpointing helps ease the pain. Hope they enjoy it.
We are in the BCS picture. Our good fortune that we had a great year and have almost a half million living alumni and have many multiples of the number of other fans and have the winged helmets and The Victors and the BIg House and tons of tradition and an incredible band and people are willing to pay big bucks to see us, and on and on and on.
M-shoe...Cry me a river.
Go Blue!!

Another M-S-Moooooooooooo fan who needs a little cheese to go with his whine.
Good Night and Good Luck

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:27 a.m.

genetracey - you're joking right. There is no one associated with Michigan in any way insinuating we belong in a title game - NOWHERE. I won't deny we won't be saying that next year - stay tuned. What you'll find is a National base of Michigan faithful that are so proud of our team, so proud of our (deserving) selection in the BCS Bowl.

Stephen Landes

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:24 a.m.

Maybe it is VT that shouldn't be in the bowl -- replace them with K State.

mun

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:15 a.m.

U-M 10-2=83% winning percentage
MSU 10-3=77%
So how is MSU more deserving of the Sugar Bowl than U-M? Bottom line is MSU didn't take care of business on Saturday in Indy.

mun

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:55 a.m.

Hey Spartan fans! It's YOUR FAULT, not Michigan's, that you didn't take care of business on Saturday in Indy! Michigan finished strong beating Nebraska and Ohio. The BCS looks at how you finish.

DonAZ

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:35 a.m.

Several quick points:
(1) In related news, Amara Darboh (4-star, 6'2&quot; 4.42-40 wide receiver) has committed to Michigan. First WR of the class.
(2) Don't underestimate VT, but don't fear them. Michigan should be able to win this game.
(3) If the empty seats in Lucas Oil Stadium the other night is any indication, MSU does not bring many fans to away games.
(4) Bowl committees take revenue projections into consideration. It's a business, not a charity.
(5) Michigan State had better strap up for Georgia ... that is *not* a gimme for MSU
(6) 10 Big Ten teams in bowls is a sure sign there are too many bowls. Illinois vs. UCLA? C'mon.
(7) Go ...
(8) ... Blue!
I'm halfway thinking about seeing about tickets for the Fiesta Bowl ... it's 100 miles north of Tucson ... could be a good game between Stanford and OSU.

Tru2Blu76

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.

&quot;too many bowls.&quot; - That's the only point I disagree with: it's like saying &quot;too much football&quot; -- Hah! Impossible! LOL! ;-)

Don.
Let's just name the kraft bowl the &quot;teams without a coach who really don't deserve to bowl eligible&quot; bowl. Isn't that just pathetic?

Blu-dogg97

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:21 a.m.

@mmppcc the problem is not with Michigan, your problem is your coach acting like John Wayne out there, calling for your wild child I.Bell to block that punt,instead of setting up the return with K.Martin.. dumb call..The offcials will call that every time..Thats Shameful !
imho Va.Tech is a W for Brady,and Michigan doesn't have to play a &quot;Hot&quot; Baylor Team with RGIII ,who is now in the Heisman race..
Congrats Wolverines..
GO BLUE..

Blu-dogg97

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:37 a.m.

TXteach you didn't see &quot;afraid&quot; in my post,and Michigan is not afraid to play Baylor,they have beat them several times..

Tru2Blu76

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:33 a.m.

I voted for you too, Blu-dogg97, good post.

TXteacher

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:30 a.m.

Being afraid to play good competition is shameful...but understandable

Tru2Blu76

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:20 a.m.

I think a matchup with VT is a good one. No.13 vs No.11 and it'll be The Hoke against The Hokies.
BTW: anyone wanna explain to the Spartans the difference between returning to national relevance and... approaching national relevance once in a while (like once every 45 years)?
Coach Danton-ohio said tonight the Spartans &quot;will be back&quot; - - yeah, they probably will, sometime around 2056.
To Kirk Product of Cousins: your team will be couch sitting (and your fans couch burning) for as long as it takes for you to become a grandfather, so be careful of your aphorisms, please. ;-)
Go Blue!

TXteacher

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:32 a.m.

Pretty relevant in Blue's life the last 4 YEARS...lolol

Blu-dogg97

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:27 a.m.

I voted for ya Tru2Blu76..

TXteacher

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:57 a.m.

Sparty plays it's bowl game in October each Year....and lately it's gone very, very well...

Tru2Blu76

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.

Fact is: the 2011 Spartans aren't as good as the '65 and '66 Spartans: those teams took two league and one national championship. But even then: Michigan was going through the Bump Elliot Fail period, so the Spartans got lucky. Funny how the cycle is always: Michigan has a rare down period and the MSU team doesn't have to face the usually overwhelming Wolverines means &quot;success for Sparty.&quot; So, your &quot;very very well&quot; turns out to be: occasionally good due to rare good luck, in reality.
Sure, you beat an improved Michigan team this year. But then - MSU followed its usual trajectory: failing to win the Big Ten. Failure has a price: MSU gets the Sour Grapes Bowl and Michigan gets the Sugar Bowl. Pucker up, Sparty. :-)

Sparty Boomer

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.

I just love the comment that State's success is due to Wolverine's decline........ the success is due to a great coach building a great program!!!!!!!!!!

Blue Marker

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.

&quot;Sparty plays it's bowl game in October each Year&quot;
In essence that's Michigan State's problem. So much of their world depends on beating Michigan they don't know how to take the next step. That said, I like MSU's chances against Georgia. I wish them the best in their bowl game.

RudeJude

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.

I like our trip to the Sugar Bowl has nothing to do with Sparty. Yes, we've lost four in a row, it's an impressive streak. The bowl games are rewards based on seasonal performance, and Michigan has had a better season (only two losses to Sparty's three) Don't ask Michigan to apologize for peaking at the end of the season while Sparty lost the last game before the bowl selection. Win when it matters, Sparty, and stop choking when it matters most!

Matt Patercsak

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:46 a.m.

...and a 5 star pocket passing QB named Shane Morris takes his spot, behind a bigger, more powerful offensive line. its an upgrade.
oh and 4 star WR Amara Darboh just committed today.
MSU beat 3 years of Rich Rod teams and a 1st year coach with Rich Rod talent still finding it's identity (which started clicking in the bye week after MSU).
that team, then pummeled Nebraska (which pummeled MSU) and Ohio State who's offense was much more developed than it was when they played MSU. this team is growing whether spartan fans like it or not. we also return about 80% of our defense and about 85% of our offense. MSU is losing Jerel &quot;snapcount&quot; Worthy, Kirk Cousins, FB todd anderson and Joel Foreman among other seniors. I admit, MSU is better than they have been in recent years, but their success was born from Michigan's decline. once Rich Rod came in, in state recruiting and support plummeted. someone had to rise from all the ashes, and it was MSU. now their time is waning and Michigan is once again on the rise. Hello BCS!!
the signs are everywhere, it's just hard when you don't want to open your eyes to see them.

TXteacher

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:28 a.m.

@DDot..no evidence of that...especially after the one trick pony leaves next year...

DDOT1962

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:05 a.m.

I have a feeling that's coming to an end for you guys too. The football Gods joke of MSU over UM has played itself out.

Chad Williams

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:55 a.m.

Excellent match up for the sugar bowl in fact all bcs bowls look pretty even. Va tech hasnt showed up for a bcs bowl in years hopefully michigan keeps that up. .

mmppcc

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:38 a.m.

Well, it seems Michigan is this year's poster child for everything that is wrong with the BCS, but Michigan fans just love to delude themselves. Earning a BCS bid is an accomplishment for any program. Getting one just because of politics (number of fans buying tickets, etc.) is shameful.

James

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:33 p.m.

mmppcc: Michigan fans are used to having everythign handed to them, why should this be any different?

missionbrazil

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:08 p.m.

boo hoo ... don't worry mmppcc, the sting of disappointment will fade away, eventually.
don't look at us though as the blame ... look in the mirror. MSU controlled their own fate and you dropped the ball.

Michigan 11-2. MSU 10-3. Do the math. It's not U-M's fault that MSU didn't take care of business Saturday.

EyeHeartA2

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:56 a.m.

Please see the first post for some insight into your thoughtful question.
Two things you can count on:
Sparty will self destruct.
Sparty will whine about it and blame everything and everybody else.
Boo Hoo. Win the game last night and quit crying.
Sorry, but msu's flash in the pan is over. Get used to the Mienike car care bowl.

a2citizen

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:53 a.m.

Why do you think a three-loss team deserves a coronation?

1bit

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:51 a.m.

These posts are getting old - you really need to take a break from this. Michigan finished 10-2 and qualified for an at-large bid for the BCS. We get it, you don't like Michigan. The bowl committes do.
Michigan State had their chances on the field to get the job done. They came up short. Michigan had their chances too and came up short. At the end of the day, Michigan State did not qualify for an at-large bid for the BCS. You can thank the human voters and the computer polls for that. Michigan (and Michigan's fans) had nothing to do with it.
The most surprising thing about the matchup is that it was Va Tech and not Boise or Kansas St.

Steve

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:49 a.m.

Quit acting like this is a new development. Ticket sales and number of fans that will travel to the host city have always been a big part of the decision making process. Stop whining until you can consistently sell out your own stadium.

Sour

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.

Serious question....why do they call Ohio State ..Ohio?

Billy Bob Schwartz

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:52 p.m.

True answer. The Ohio State University calls itself Ohio because that way, 90% of their alumni can spell it. I've seen their commercials. They are proudest of the fact that their fans can get together in groups of four and sort of spell out OHIO. Try getting ten OSU fans to spell out Ohio State. Not likely. (The tenth person is so someone can stand and do nothing between the two words.) True story.

1bit

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.

Terry: The UM band did introduce the OHIO to them, but spelled it in all caps. The script Ohio with dotted &quot;i&quot; is their thing.

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:07 a.m.

Seriously, and you can look this up - the early bands spelled out ohio. One year way back when, the Michigan Band spelled out ohio at the Big House (welcome thing) and dotted the &quot; i &quot;, ever since then the buckeyes dotted the &quot; i &quot;. True story.

Insightman

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:09 a.m.

Their drum reads &quot;Ohio&quot; but to make them happy you would have to use 4 words to properly spell their name. They just have to deal with it.

1bit

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:53 a.m.

Because that's the way their band spells it.

Sour

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:49 a.m.

So why again? That makes no sense to me. Have fun in your bowl game.

Terrin Bell

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:35 a.m.

Why use two words when you can use one? In the context of Michigan football, everybody knows who is being talked about.

Jaysham

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:19 a.m.

Oh Theo where have you been with your poems that only had us predicted for Capital One Bowl Game
Well you were wrong as usual as were in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans which is far greater fame
Hope you can now see the light at the end of the tunnel that proves that Hoke is the man to bring us the crystal
Not some cast off coach that couldn't care less about having a stout defense and a offense more wack then the pistol
With Hoke we will now only be going to BCS bowl games every single year and defenses that can tackle and strike fear
Your king is down in the desert the head man for the Wildcats and will have many appearances in the New Mexico Bowl how about that
To the spartys out there that is crying about not going to a BCS game just accept the Outback with class and order a bloomin onion
You spartys had your chance and blew it by not winning your games against ND and Nebraska now your attitude is smells like funyons
Just remember that the Michigan Wolverine brand carries weight and has a lot more national respect and a superior overall brand
This is Michigan!!!.........The greatest university and the most tradition and most wins than any other university throughout the land

a2citizen

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:18 a.m.

state fans: Deserve's got nothing to do with it.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpDkYZWeeVg&feature=player_embedded" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpDkYZWeeVg&amp;feature=player_embedded</a>

a2citizen

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:55 a.m.

Deep pockets and they didn't lose three games.

rmrmsix

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:27 a.m.

You are right.. UM has deeper pockets$$$$$ to buy a BSC Game!!

oldmarine

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:52 a.m.

A great day for Michigan football. I'd like to personally thank Mr Denard Robinson for learning 2 complex offenses in 2.5 years and weathering last years season ending turbulence and patiently developing into the gallant leader that he's shown he is. I'd also like to thank Mr. Greg Mattison for coaching up the same defense that got nuked last year and turning them into a true yesteryear SMASHMOUTH MICHIGAN D. Finally, my hat is off to the rest of the wolves, coaches and especially coach Hoke, but most importantly the MICHIGAN FAN for their patience through the last couple years. Good Luck Blue, You EARNED the Sugar Bowl, now get after it .....

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:51 a.m.

Very nice. I'm not making excuses, but when DRobb struggled badly, you could just see his footwork/decisions weren't sync and reactions were dulled - in a split second your mind wants to return and is fighting your new direction. Can't wait to see his improvement with this system next year.

Terrin Bell

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:06 a.m.

LOL. Patience? Right.

Mark Boillat

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:38 a.m.

I'M ALREADY TIRED OF SPARTY, WE DON'T DESERVE IT.
WE WON OUR LAST 3 GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!! DID YOU WIN YOUR LAST 3 GAMES??????
WE PLAYED 10 TEAMS THAT ARE PLAYING IN A BOWL GAME
THAT'S A GOOD SCHEDULE GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DO DESERVE IT!!!!!!!!!

Sparty Boomer

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.

Mark, State beat MN, Iowa, Indiana and NW to finish out the regular season with 4 wins....... yes we did win our last three regular season games.......just as you did.......

James

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:31 p.m.

When 70 teams go to bowl games, the fact that you played teams in 10 of them doesn't count for much.

Billy Bob Schwartz

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:44 p.m.

rm...Actually, the only standard that has been set is a very high standard for Whining and FIngerpointing. It's an art, and you folks have brought it to a fine level! Keep up the good whine.
Go Blue.

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:47 a.m.

You hit it Mark...emphasis is placed on later games, seriously - who had us winning even one of those last three ? That impresses the BCS. A late loss doesn't sit good - even at a conference championship.

1bit

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:47 a.m.

rmrmsix:
Okay, let's say MSU did that this year: they end up 9-3.
Michigan goes to the championship game and either wins (11-2) or loses (10-3). Michigan still ends up ahead of MSU.
MSU had their chances to win it on the field. Michigan had their chances too. Neither team got it done. Michigan did well enough relative to the rest of the country to qualify to be an at-large qualifier for the BCS. That means it's a beauty contest and Michigan looks good to bowl committees. When you run a bowl committee you can make your own rules.

rmrmsix

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:30 a.m.

Next time MSU should belly up for the BTN Game to UM and then MSU can back door a BCS Game.. Now the standards have been set!!!

tz

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:36 a.m.

How exciting as I'm a Hokie and my husband is a Wolverine and my 4 boys have been Wolverines since birth but recently have discovered the joys of rooting for their mom's team. It's gonna be fun!

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:02 a.m.

I'd say if your husband is a true Wolverine - those boys better be wearing maize/blue for this game !

mmppcc

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:34 a.m.

So, now a team gets punished for playing for the conference championship. Michigan fans will deny it, of course, but they know they don't deserve to be there, and that should put a smile on Sparty's face.

MikeB

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 10:55 a.m.

Punished? Wisconsin is playing in the Rose Bowl, how is that punishment?

mun

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 5:19 a.m.

No, you're getting punished because you LOST the conference championship game! U-M's 10-2 beats MSU's 10-3. Do the math.

mun

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:47 a.m.

It's not Michigan's fault that Sparty didn't take care of business Saturday. Michigan's 11-2 is better than State's 10-3. Do the math!

1bit

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:04 a.m.

Yes, mmppcc, if MSU didn't go to the conference championship game they would probably be 9-3 and still not be an at-large qualifier for the BCS. Michigan would've ended up 10-3 or 11-2.
Why the hate on Michigan? Michigan had nothing to do with your self-perceived snub. Michigan won ten games and lost two. Human voters and computer polls placed Michigan in the top 14 BCS teams. A human bowl committee selected Michigan. MSU didn't qualify for an at-large BCS bid, so there was no choice by a bowl committee to select Michigan over MSU.

a2citizen

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:27 a.m.

Deserve's got nothing to do with it.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpDkYZWeeVg&feature=player_embedded" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpDkYZWeeVg&amp;feature=player_embedded</a>

mmppcc

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:12 a.m.

Flawed logic? You're saying if MSU hadn't had to play the conference championship game, like Michigan, they would still be going to the Outback bowl, with the best record in the Big Ten?

Terrin Bell

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:05 a.m.

The problem with your logic is Sparty got spanked by two teams Michigan handedly beat. Namely, Nebraska and Notre Dame. Moreover, Nebraska embarrassed Sparty. Just because Michigan lost to Sparty doesn't mean Sparty is the better team. It just means they were better that day.

riverraisin

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:50 a.m.

Listen mmppcc..
If you want to be a fan of a real football team and consistent winner, root for the Wolverines.
If you want to be a fan of a flash in the pan, second rate team, root for the spartans.
At this rate, you're going to be whining the rest of your life.

PHXblue

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:47 a.m.

Do you think UCLA should be playing in a BCS game as well? They lost their championship game too.. Do you think Georgia should be playing in a better bowl then Alabama? Your logic is flawed..

Mark Boillat

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:41 a.m.

I'm pretty sure we deserve it because they voted for us. I hope I get my post card from you. I'll be in New Orleans OK?
go blue great season
Hokie will beat the Hokies!!!!!!!!!!!!

riverraisin

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:22 a.m.

The Hokes are playing the Hokies!
GO BLUE!!!!!!

Billy Bob Schwartz

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.

Blue will do the Hokie Pokey at that game!

iamcris

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:17 a.m.

A very winnable game. Great for the conference and what a reward to the players and coaches and also us fans of Team #132.
The Wolverines and Badgers have a chance to show the country on the B1G stage.
Rose -Wisconsin vs Oregon
Sugar- Michigan vs Va Tech
Outback- Michigan St vs Georgia
Capital One- Nebraska vs South Carolina
Ticket City- Penn St vs Houston
Taxslayer- Ohio vs Florida
Insight- Iowa vs Oklahoma
Kraft- Illinois vs UCLA
Pizza Pizza- Purdue vs Western Michigan
Meineke- Northwestern vs Texas A&amp;M
While supporting teams we usually cheer against is both foreign and dirty, pen ultimately it benefits the B1G and Michigan's own best interest if their is substantial success in B1G conference teams winning their bowl games. An opportunity to change the public perception.

average joe

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 12:23 p.m.

10 out of 12 teams in a conference going to a bowl game.........
Does anyone else see something wrong.
Ah... big ten school, large alumni base, the money thing.

1bit

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:32 a.m.

I think Michigan and Penn St. are the most likely to win.
Toss-ups are: Ohio, Michigan St, Illinois, Northwestern
Likely losers: Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Purdue
So, my best case scenario for the B1G is 6-4. Likeliest is 4-6 (assuming toss-ups split) and worst case is 2-8.

DDOT1962

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:59 a.m.

I see 3 sure wins: Michigan, Nebraska and Purdue. I see the conference having a lopsided losing record again this year as in the past few years. It's a good thing the Midwest universities have massive alumni bases, because the bowl committees can only be choosing our conference based on our ability to draw viewers, not competitors. What is Illinois doing in a bowl???

yua

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.

The problem is I don't see any obvious wins on that list, and several likely losses. Ah, but hope springs eternal.

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:36 a.m.

Geez...I just realized ten bowls - a record, now let's show America our Best !

stunhsif

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:16 a.m.

The &quot;Sugar Bowl&quot;, also known as the &quot;Also Ran Bowl&quot; . Way too many bowl games folks. Used to be the Rose Bowl was the big crown, how many years since the &quot;Wolverinette's&quot; played in that bowl game ? Good night and good luck, you'll most certainly need it !
Go Green Go White or Go Home

Nic schweigert

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.

When was the last time you skirt wearing spartys went to the rose bowl? Been a while I believe. Michigan was in it in 2006. So before you start running that grungy green mouth check you facts

mun

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:46 a.m.

Uh, the Sugar Bowl is where the BCS Championship game is being held. Besides if the Sugar Bowl is &quot;also ran,&quot; what is the Outback Bowl?

a2citizen

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:56 a.m.

I prefer to go to New Orleans.

Matt Patercsak

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:19 a.m.

how many years has it been since Sparty went to the rose bowl?
SOUR!!

Mark Boillat

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:46 a.m.

OR IN YOUR CASE SPARTY GO GREEN GO WHITE GO TO TAMPA BAY AND THE OUTBACK
4TH TIER BOWL GAME

Jaysham

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:45 a.m.

Sparty hasn't been to a Rose Bowl since Ronald Reagan was president. That would be 1988 just to let you know.

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:35 a.m.

It's a BCS Bowl, big price. What is an Outback anyway, way out back from the big boys Bowls ?

blue91mba

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:31 a.m.

That'd be 2007 :-) This was Sparty's only chance, since from now on, that bowl will belong to UM. LOL.

riverraisin

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:27 a.m.

I remember when UM played in the Rose Bowl.
Were you even born the last time sparty played in it?

MyBoyBlue

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:12 a.m.

ITS JUST SICK; but I am getting a lot of entertainment value out of posting a youtube linc of Def Leppard's &quot;Pour Some Suger on Me&quot; on a bunch of MSU facebook pages. LOL!! lets all join in.

mmppcc

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:18 a.m.

Not sick, more like pathetic

blue91mba

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:01 a.m.

How sweet it is, indeed! What a great day for Michigan football. Sad day for the BCS though ... I really wanted to see a Oklahoma State team play LSU, but alas, the system is what it is for now. Good luck coach Hoke and our young men, and congratulations on a hell of a season!

stunhsif

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:22 a.m.

very nice pic, even with the lousy name on her buttocks !
Go Green Go White or Go Home

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.

Your picture. Like !

a2badger

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:59 a.m.

Deserving pick and Congrats to Wolverines.
Will be enjoying the Badgers trip to its second Rose Bowl in a row.

Nice in A2

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.

Good Luck Badgers. Bring those roses home!

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:58 a.m.

Thank you for being a good sport. Whata' think of Dwayne's picture ?

blue91mba

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:02 a.m.

Congrats to the Badgers ... kick Oregon's butt! Go B1G!!!

D21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.

Pure Michigan at it's best!
Sweet.

heartbreakM

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.

now that's a good matchup. Only one I wanted more was with Stanford. Now gotta arrange the schedule to get there!!

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.

Wow...I liked that stanford matchup...just like 08 when we beat florida and their prized QB. I really thought we'd get kansas state though - but who cares, great time to be a Wolverine ! If you blink your eyes you'll miss me on my way to New Orleans.

MyBoyBlue

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:33 a.m.

What a year for Michigan football!! I think it is safe to say; the dark days of Michigan football are over! Hail to the victors. Thank you to the players and coaches. And worry not; your legacy in Michigan History is secure. Years from now, future teams will look back and say that it was your effort, sacrifice, and pain that laid the foundation for Michigan's modern glory. Hail to the Victors Valiant. Your place in Michigan history is secure!!

yua

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:30 a.m.

ASCENT, not &quot;assent&quot;.

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 4:57 a.m.

Ease up...Kyle was trying to get this out fast -and he had it out 19 minutes before the BCS show even started ! He said it would be updated and he would have had more time. I appreciate the fast news because I was the first one of my more than 174 networking Michigan fans - I looked like a genius when I texted this out. Kudos to Kyle.

EastCoastBlue

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:27 a.m.

Like it or not Sparty, UM did not create the BCS. You had the opportunity to control your own destiny.

EastCoastBlue

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:46 a.m.

Additionally, if you want to look at it as we &quot;got what we wanted while sitting on the couch,&quot; well, we were due from the spot we lost back in 2006 when we were #2 and lost our spot while sitting on the couch.

Terry Star21

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.

Great reporting Kyle....your fast. Congratulation to Coach Hoke, the team, the faithful and the State of Michigan. I love New Orleans this time of year.

DDOT1962

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 3:44 a.m.

Maybe on your way to NOLA, you can catch a glimpse of the two SEC teams that'll be playing for the National Title. Yeah, that SEC wishes it could play 3rd fiddle to the Big 10.

EyeHeartA2

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:20 a.m.

Very nice.
Now, let the whining from NW of here begin.

Halter

Mon, Dec 5, 2011 : 1:30 a.m.

It's already begun -- Facebook has had their whining for an hour already....